The Effect of Repeat Ponseti Casting on Previously Failed Clubfoot Treatment

Aim: Closed treatment using Ponseti casting technique is the standard management for clubfoot deformity. This study is investigating the efficacy of repeat use of Ponseti technique in late cases that had not achieved correction following previous attempts.
A prospective study was conducted on clubfeet cases of over 3 months of age who had not achieved correction with previous casting and were referred for surgery to our clinics. The Baseline and final Pirani scores were compared in a 4 .5- year average follow-up. The functional scores, recurrence rates and additional procedures required for correction were also documented.
79 feet in 53 patients of 3 months to 9 years of age were studied. They had mean Pirani scores of 4.4 and had previously received 7.8 ± 2.5 castings and 9 Achilles tenotomies. An average of 4.3 ± 1.7(2–8) castings and 32 Achilles tendon lengthening were needed to achieve complete correction in 77 feet (98%). Relapse of deformity was seen in 42 (53%) feet, which dropped the correction rate in the final follow-up to 89%. However, the functional score at the end , was good or excellent in 93% of the cases.
Accurate re-use of Ponseti technique in cases of previously- failed clubfoot casting has high success rate, even in late referrals.